Aquatic device



July 3, 1956 c. s, FOWLER ET AL 2,752,617

AQUATIC DEVICE Filed March 8. 1954 2 sheets-sheet 1 68 Carl 5'. Fowler Maurice C. Gar lic/r INVENTORS July 3, 1956 Filed March 8; 1954 C. S. FOWLER ET AL AQUATIC DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet '2 Carl 5. Fowler Maurice Ci Gar/wk INVENTORS United States Patent AQUATIC DEVICE Carl S. Fowler and Maurice C. Gal-lick, Easton, Pa. Application March 8, 1954, Serial No. 414,625

2 Claims. (Cl. 9-18) This invention relates to an aquatic device and more particularly to an amusement device for children which can be used in a body of water whereby the child can propel himself along the surface of the water.

An object of this invention is to provide an aquatic device having a body of floatable material whereby the device will float on the surface of the water.

Another object of this invention is to provide an aquatic device which is floatable on the surface of a body of water and having novel means thereon whereby the child using the device can propel himself by using his hands.

A further object of this invention is to provide an aquatic device which will float on the surface of a body of water wherein a child can propel himself by using his hands and steer the device by using his feet.

A yet further object of this invention is to provide an aquatic device which is floatable on a body of water wherein a child using the same can propel himself by using his feet and steer the device by using his hands.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an aquatic device having novel propulsion means mounted thereon.

Another object of this invention is to provide an aquatic device which is simple and efilcient in construction, endurable and lasting in use.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a top plan view of a preferred form of the aquatic device forming the subject of this invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the aquatic device illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken substantially along the section line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of a modified form of aquatic device made in accordance with this invention; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of drive means for the device illustrated in Figure 1.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that the aquatic device forming the subject of this invention includes a frame formed of an elongated member having a seat 12 secured thereto adjacent one end. An arcuate-shaped brace member 14 is secured to the end of the member 10 and extends upwardly therefrom behind the seat 12. A U-shaped brace member 16 is secured to the member 10 adjacent the forward end of the seat 12 and has the leg portions thereof extending vertically above the seat 12. A ring 18 is secured to the upper ends of the brace members 14 and 16. Any suitable means may be used 'to secure the seat 12, brace members 14 and '16 to the member 10. Further, any suitable means can be used for securing the ring 18 to the upper ends 'of the brace members 14 and 16.

The diametrically opposite points of the ring 18 are provided with-projections 20-and '22. Y The projection 20 is positioned adjacent the brace member 14 and forms a collar spaced from the ring 18. The projection 22 extends in a direction away from the seat 12 and also forms a collar positioned outwardly of the ring 18. Secured within the collar 22 is a vertically extending post 24. The post 24 is connected at its lower end to the member 10 by a housing 26. The housing 26 may have removable side plates 28 secured thereto by suitable fasteners 30.

The member 10 and the post 24 are each tubular in form and a drive shaft 32 is mounted for rotation within the member 10 in any suitable manner. Secured to the end of drive shaft 32 which projects beneath the brace member 14 is a propeller blade 34. The other end of the drive shaft 32 is provided with a bevel gear secured thereto and disposed within the housing 26. A vertically extending jack shaft 38 is rotatably mounted within the post 24 and is provided with a bevel gear 40 fixedly secured to its lower end and in mesh with the bevel gear 36 on the drive shaft 32.

Secured to the upper end of the post 24 is a housing 42. The housing 42 is provided with a removable side plate 44 which is secured thereto by suitable fasteners 46. A shaft 48 extends through the housing 42 and is disposed horizontally and transverse to the longitudinal axis of the member 113. Secured to the shaft 43 within the housing 42 is a bevel ring gear 50. A bevel gear 52 is secured to the upper end of the shaft 38 and is in mesh with the teeth of the gear 50. The shaft 48 extends from opposite sides of the housing 42 and is provided at each end with an offset crank handle 54 which is secured thereto in any suitable manner. Thus, it will be seen that movement of the crank handles 54 will cause rotation of the gear 50 which, in turn, will cause rotation of shaft 38 and shaft 32 to rotate the propeller blade 34.

A body 56 of floatable material is adapted to be secured to the upper surface 'of the ring 18 whereby the device will float on a body of water with the seat 12 submerged therein. Suitable straps '58 having buckles 60 are used for securing the body 56 to the ring 18. The body 56 is preferably annular-shaped and may be formed of an inflatable tube, as shown in the drawings, or may be of any solid fioatable material. Thus, it will be seen that When the device is placed in a body of water and the handles 54 actuated, the device will be propelled through the body of water.

Means are provided on the device for steering the same when being propelled through a body of water. This means comprises a brace 62 secured to the rear end of member 10 and extending downwardly and rearwardly therefrom. The free end of the brace 62 is provided with a collar 64 having an opening therethrough which is in alignment with the opening in the projection 29. A rudder blade 66 is provided with suitable projections 68 extending from opposite ends thereof and adjacent one side thereof. The projections 68 are adapted to be received in the aligned openings in the projection 2t) and the collar 64. Thus, it will be seen that the rudder blade 66 is free to move about 'a vertical axis. Secured to the upper end of the rudder blade and extending from opposite sides thereof are a pair of arms 70. The housing 26 is provided with a bracket 72 which extends forwardly from the housing. Pivotally secured at its midpoint to the bracket 72 is a control lever 74. Suitable control cables 76 are connected at one of their ends to one of the arms 70 and at their other ends to the opposite ends of the levers 74. Thus, movement of the control levers 74 about the vertical axis will cause the rudder 66 to also move about its vertical axis.

In order to maintain the cables 76 out of contact with a person seated on the seat 12, brackets 78 are mounted on the upper ends of the legs of brace mem ber 16. A pulley 80 is mounted for rotation on the brackets 78 and the cables 76 are adapted to be entrained around the pulleys 80 to maintain the cables out of contact with the person on the seat 12.

In the modification above described, the device is placed in a body 'of water and a person sits on the seat 12. The person propels the device by operating the handles 54 and steers the device by placing his feet on the control levers 74. Thus, the device is capable of both propulsion and steering when a person is using the same.

In the modification illustrated in Figure 4, the structure of the member 10, seat 12, braces 14 and .16 and ring 18 is the same as that above described. Further, the fioatable body 56 is the same as that described above, Also, the construction of the brace 62 and the rudder 66 is the same. In this modification, an enlarged housing 82 is secured to the forward end of the member 10. This housing 82 is provided with a removable side plate 84 secured thereto by suitable fasteners 86. A shaft 88 extends through the housing 82 transverse to the longitudinal axis of the member 10 and in a horizontal position. Secured to the shaft 88 within the housing 82 is a bevel ring gear 90. A bevel gear 92 is fixed to the forward end of the drive shaft 32 which is rotatably mounted within the member 10 and is in mesh with the gear 90. Suitable pedals 94 are secured to opposite ends of the shaft 88 outwardly of the housing 82. Thus, it will be seen that the modification disclosed in Figure 4 is propelled by the person seated on the seat 12 using his feet.

Secured to the housing 82 and extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom is a bracket 96. The bracket 96 is secured atits upper free end to the projection 22. The bracket 96 is further provided with a collar 98 having a vertically extending aperture therethrough. A rod 100 is rotatably mounted in the aperture in collar 98 and extends vertically upwardly above the upper surface of the body 56. Secured to the upper end of the rod 106 and extending from opposite sides thereof are radially extending handles 102. A control lever 104 similar to the control levers 74 is fixedly secured at its midpoint to the lower end of the rod 100. The cables 76 are secured at their forward ends to the control lever 104. The pulleys 80 can be used in conjunction with this modification to maintain the cables 76 out of contact with a person seated on the seat 12. Thus, it will be seen that in this modification, a person seated on the seat 12 can steer the device by grasping the handle 102 with his hand and can propel the device by operating the pedals 94 with his feet.

The modification disclosed in Figure is similar to that disclosed in Figure l, but wherein the drive means for the propeller blade is different. In this modification, there is disclosed an elongated member 106 which is similar to the member 10, except that 'it is not hollow. Extending upwardly from the member 106 at each end is a brace 108 having a notch 110 in its upper edge. The body 56 would be adapted to be positioned within the notch 1'10 and straps 58 could be used for securing the body 56 in positionon the brace 108. Further, the seat 12 would be secured to the member 106 adjacent its rear end.

Apost is secured to the forward end of the member 106 and is formed of .a pair of parallel members 112. These members 112 have a major portion thereof extending vertically above the member 106 and a minor portion extending below the member 106. Secured to the lower end of the members 112 is a forwardly extending bracket 114. A control lever 116 is pivotally secured at its midpoint to the bracket 114. The control lever 116 is similar in all respects to the control lever 74 and the :cables 76 .are connected 'to opposite ends thereof. The rudder structure of modification illustrated in Figure 5 is similar in all respect to the rudder structure of the modification disclosed in Figure 1.

The drive shaft for a propeller blade similar to propeller blade 34 extends longitudinally of the member 106 and between the members 112. This drive shaft 118 is Provided at its forward end with a pulley 120 fixedly secured thereto. Any suitable bearings may be used for mouting the drive shaft 118 on the member 106. The upper end of each of the members 112 is provided with a vertically extending slot 122 which opens in the upper face of the members 112. A shaft 124 is received within the slots 122 and is provided with offset handle portions 126 at opposite ends thereof and spaced outwardly of the members 112. A suitable cotter pin 128 extends through the members 112 and intersects the slots 122 above the shafts 124 for retaining the same in position.

A pulley 156 is fixedly-secured to the shaft .124 between the members 112. A suitable flexible belt 132 is entrained around the pulley 130 and the pulley 120 whereby move ment of the handles 126 will cause the rotation of shaft 118.

The modification shown in Figure 5 is preferably constructed of wood or the like. The person using the modification of Figure 5 will sit on a seat corresponding to seat 12 and will operate the handles 126 with his hands and will operate the control lever 116 with his feet.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

'1. An aquatic device comprising a tubular horizontal frame member having a housing at one end, U-shaped brackets rising from said member, a horizontal ring fixed to :said brackets above said member, an annular float fixed on said ring concentric thereto, a tubular post rising from said housing above said lloat and having a housing on its upper end, a propeller shaft in said member having a propeller thereon at the other end of the member, a jack shaft in said post, means in the first named housing operatively connecting the jack shaft to said propeller shaft, 2. transverse drive shaft extending horizontally through the second named housing and provided with a pair of end hand cranks thereon above said float, means in the second named housing operatively connecting the drive shaft to the jack shaft, and a seat :on said member below said ring and encircled thereby and by'said float.

2. A device according to claim 1 including a bracket extending from the first named housing oppositely relative to said member, a foot operated control lever pivoted on said bracket, and steering means to which said lever is operatively connected.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,144,904 Kamioka June 29, 1915 1,322,403 Bidonde Nov. 18, 1919 1,332,634 .Piateski Mar. 2, .1920 1,473,514- Pinkard .Nov. 6, .1923 1,506,283 Bartolomucci Aug. 26, .1924 1,610,778 .H'elm Dec. 14, 1926 1,785,971 OConnor Dec. 23, 1930 1,793,528 Szabo .Feb. 24, 19.31 1,793,973 Starnegna Feb. 24, 1931 2,681,459 Paquette June 22, 19.54

FOREIGN PATENTS 357,033 Great .Britain Sept. 17, :1931 578,009 France Sept. 15, .1924 

